Strip serving mechanism



Nov. 24, 1936. E. H. cHABbT I STRIP SERVING MECHANISM Original FiledOct. 12, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 E. H. CHABOT STRI PSERVING MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 12, 1925 u uln NOV. 24, 1936.

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Nov. 24, 1936. E. H. cHABoT STRIP SERVING MECHANISM 5 Sheets-Sheet :s

Original Filed Oct. 12, 1925 [22002220715 wiaraim l7. t'ka50 Nov. 24,1936. E. H. CHABOT STRIP SERVING MECHANISM Original Filed Oct. 12, 19255 sheevtsfsheet 4 fliiys.

Iii/72671207 Nav, 24, 1936. E. H. CHABOT STRIP SERVING MECHANISMOriginal Filed Oct. 12, 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ina/022507": V, 622412;302, 02 017' I T Reissucd Nov 24, 1936 s'rarr sanvmo MECHANISM EphraimH. Chabot, Nashua, N. 11., assignor to Nashua Gummed & Coated PaperCompany, Nashua, N. 11., a corporation of Massachusetts I Original No.1,732,635, dated October 22, 1929, Serial No. 175,532, March 15, 1927,which is a division of application October 12, 1925, Serial No. 61,901.Application for reissue October 11,

19 0. Serial No. 40am Claims. -(ci. ii-14.5)

This invention relates to mechanism for serving strip material andespecially to adhesive strip servers utilizing moistening elements; moreparticularly it aims to provide improved means for feeding, moisteningand cutting ofl from a supply readily and accurately controllablelengths of adhesive or gummed paper tape or the like, as for packagesealing purposes. This application is a division of my copendingapplication Serial No. 61,901, filed October 12, 1925, the claims of thepresent application being directed to all novel features andcombinations of elements herein disclosed, excepting only the moisteningelement per se and as of general use, which latter is the invention ofTrevor R. Gautier and is claimed in his copending application Serial No.135,062. filed September 13, 1926, and in his related copendlngapplications Serial Nos. 154,125 and 39,275, filed December 5, 1925, andJune 24, 1925, respectively.

Certain improved mechanism also within the;

broad scope of the present invention is disclosed and claimed in acopending application of T. R. Gautier and H. E. Nichols, Serial No.258,875, filed March 3, 1928.

In the drawings, illustrating mechanism typifying my invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodying one form of myinvention, the parts being in their normal or rest position; Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section, taken line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail elevational view on.a large scale of a portion of thestrip severing mechanism, illustrating a position thereof intermediatethat of Fig.1 and Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical section showing certain measuring orindicator means as viewed by the operator;

Figs. 8 to 11 show a modified form of mechanism, also embodying myinvention, for positively measuring oil. or controlling the length ofmaterial to be fed and which may be employed in conjunction with or as asubstitute for the strip length indicating mechanism in Figs, 1 to 7;

Fig. 8 is a side elevation of the forward upper portion of the machineviewed from the left;

Figs. 9, l0 and 11 are detail sectional views taken respectively uponthe lines 9, 9, III, III and H, II 'of Fig. 8, looking in the directionof the Referring more particularly to the drawings, the mechanism as awhole is mounted in a suitable housing or frame, herein including theside the supply of strip material I to be fed, illustrated as a roll 8of gummed or adhesive tape.

Said support herein consists of a metal sheet bentto form a floor 9,(see Fig. 3), on which theroll-gests in position to be drawn upon, and

an infir wall III, the endedges of said sheet having portions engagingwith two of the tie rods 3, l, to hold it in place. The tape supply isset into its support, the tie rod at the lower rear portion of therollsupport being so located as to prevent escape of the roll at the.open rear of the machine. The feeding end of the tape is led upwardlyover a roller II and along suitable guiding means upon the framing.

Said strip guiding means includes a pair of guides l2, it, of L-shape incross-section, supported on the lugs I I, I4 and I5, 15 respectively(see Figs. 2 and 3) projecting inwardly from the adjacent side frames.The guides are secured 'to said lugs by the screw and slot connectionindicated at 16, I1, Figs. 2 and 3, permitting them to be adjustedtoward or away from each other to conform to the width of the particulartape employed. The forward ends 01' said guides are positioned toconduct the strip or tape with certainty to the feeding means.

The'feeding means comprises herein a pair of feed rolls l8 and is (seeparticularly Figs. 3 and 5), between which the tape passes directly fromsaid guiding means. One of said rolls, herein the lower roll 18, isdriven in this instance by power means illustrated as an electric motor20, Fig. 3, forming a part of the machine assembly and supportedintermediate the side frames l, 2 in any suitable manner. As shown, saiddriven roll I 8 is formed in two sections l9, l8 ,'each fast upon across-shaft 2|, see particularly Fig. 5, journalled in the side framesand projecting outwardly through one of them, herein that at the rightof the operator facing the machine, seen at the left gear 22 fixed uponsaid shaft or upon the hubof one of said sections. This gear meshes witha worm It formed on or directly connected to the rotor of the motor Iii,as best seen in Fig. 3. The diameter of this gear is slightly less thanthat 'of the roll ll, so that the tape in passing over the latter doesnot come into contact with the gear.

Beyond or forwardly of the feeding means the tape is conducted bysuitable guide devices into proper relation with the severing means,herein comprising the fixed blade 24 and a movable blade I! andoperating mechanism therefor hereinafter more fully described. Thence itis delivered past suitable moistening means illustrated as a brush 2',Fig. 3, inverted in a tank or reservoir 21. The latter is removablysupported on adjacent tierods 3, I, being held in proper position byribs 28, 28 upon the bottom of the tank and between which one of saidtie-rods is received. The moistening element per se and as adapted forgeneral use, as previously stated, is the invention of Trevor R. Gautierand is so claimed in his application Serial No. 135,062 mentioned above.

Said guide devices forwardly of the feeding means include the plate 30,Fig. 3, extending between the side frames and having its rear edgeadjacent the feed, roll it formed as a stripper 3!. This plate extendsforwardly substantially to the severing blades, insuring passage of thetape between them. The tape is fed over the plate and beneath aremovable weight 32 having an upwardly inclined rear lower edge,cooperating with the plate to facilitate guiding of the strip or tape.This weight rests freely upon the tape, holding it in the proper plane.It may be provided with a finger-piece 33 to facilitate its removal andinsertion. Said weight or guiding member intermediate the tape feedingand severing means may be generally similar to that disclosed andclaimed broadly i U. 8. Letters Patent 1,568,506, dated January 1926,Trevor R. Gautier, inventor.

After ssing the severing means, the strip is properly guided incooperative relation to the moistener. Herein, for the purpose stated,the upper wall of the reservoir 21 provides a guide surface over whichthe strip passes, between the same and a platen or presser plate 34, theforward portion of which rests upon the upper end of the brush 28, beingremovably held in position permitting it to yield away from the brush,as by means of the rearwardly projecting fingers 35, 36 recessed upontheir'lower edges so as to seat pivotally upon the upper edge of thefixed blade 24.

The lower surface of said presser plate at its rear end and the adjacentupper guide surface of the tank are oppositely inclined, as indicated at31, 38' respectively, Fig. 3, to insure proper reception and guiding ofthe strip, and,at a point farther forward, these surfaces are formed toguide the strip accurately to and across the upwardlyextending ormoistening end of the brush. The presser plate is suitably weighted, asindicated at 39, to afford proper moistening contact of the tape andbrush, but, as above stated, is readily yieldable upwardly or away fromthe brush to permit easy passage of the tape. It will be noted that thispresser plate may with ease be removed bodily for cleaning or inspectionpurposes. livered from the moistener or moistening couple, including thebrush and presser plate, conveniently to the hand of the operator ordirectly onto the object to which the tape is to be applied.

Referring again to the feeding means and its operating mechanism, themachine is 0 O ganized in Fig. 5. Between said sections ll, i8 is a worm'roll it, is movable toward andaway from the The moistening tape is de-.has been brought into tape feeding relation withthatthepowermeansormotor Zlisinaction onlywhenthestrlpistobefcd.Moreovenone ofthefeedrollahereintheupperandsmalier" other roll of thepair, and is brought into tape feeding relationwlthsaidotherrolLhereinthe drivenrollll,onlywhenthemotorisstarted,

preferably sufficiently subsequent to the starting of the motor to bringthe operating load upon the motoronlyafterithasattainedtbe desiredmomentum. The instant that the required lengthv of tape has been fed themotor is automaticallyshutoffandthefeedingrelationoftherolls is broken.7

Operation of the machine is controlled by the operating element orcontrol lever indicated as a whole at 40, seen in its normal or upposition in Fig. 1, inwhichthepartsareatrest,andinits operating ordepressed position in Figs. 3 and 4. This element is formed as a ymember having at its forward end a cross piece'll for engagement by thehand of the operator, and" from which extend the-arms II, 43 fast upon apivot pin 44 journalled in brackets l5, 45 extending upwardly from therespective side trams i, 2. The rear ends of said arms are at a slightangle to the remaining portions and are interconnected by a bar 41. Ifdesired, said operating element may be foot-controlled by a pedalconnected to said element, as by the removable rod ll seen in dottedlines in Fig. 4.

The upper feed roll ll iscarrledby said control lever, being rotatableon a shaft ll supported at its ends in the arms 12, of said controllever. The latter, with the roll II, is normally maintained in raisedposition, as in Fig. Lasby the coil spring surrormdingthe pivot pin 44and bearing at one end against the side frame 2, as indicated at ll,Figs. 1 and 4, and at its other end engaged in or beneath the controllever at a point forward of the pivot pin 44 of thelatter.

The control lever or operating'member herein also controls, throughsuitable connections, the

motor switch 5|, Figs. 1, 2, 4 and5, supported on and side frame 2.Current is supplied from any suitable source by the conductor 5|, saidswitch being placed in the circuit with the motor. The spring-liftedswitch lever or circuit-closing element 5! of the switch is positionedto be actuated by the lower end of a rod 53 connected at its upper end54 to a block 55 at the outer end of a lug it projecting from theadjacent arm I! of the control lever, the bracket 46 being provided withan opening 51 through which said lug extends. In the inoperative ornormal position of the control lever this lug brings up against theoverlying portion 50 of said bracket, thus limiting its upward movement.

As the control lever is depressed the rod 53, guided at its lower end inthe bearing 5! on the side frame 2, is carried down into engagement withthe circuit closer 52, depressing the same, as seen in Fig. 4, andstarting the motor. Bubsequent release of the control lever permits itsspring '48 to raisethe lever and rod, allowing the circuit closer toreturn to open position, as in Fig. 1. The construction and arrangementof the parts is preferably such that the switch is closed and the motorstarted before the upper roll I! the lower roll I8. This incompletelydepressed position of the control lever and upper roll is illustrated inFig. 5. A slight further depression of the control lever beyond thatshown in said I solve 3 figure,bowever,willeauseeaidupperrollto'tilnesplusanyfraetionofamllreading 'rheamachtheoooperatingloweranddrivenroll lengthoithescale'andproportionsoftheindimcientlytoengageandfeed thetape betweeneater operating parts, however, are desirablythem,asinl 'ig. 8.suchthat' the maximum lengthoi'tape requiredItwillthusbeseenthattbefeedrollsandthe under usual conditions will beshown by one release of the control lever will instantly motor, bringthe feedrolls to; rest, and em indicating means herein comprises apointer '0 which is movable along a scale or dial I graduated in unitsof tape length and supported by the'brackets ll, ll, so as to lie in aplane substantially at right angles to the line of sight of theoperator.

Said pointer is provided with a hearing or collar I2 slidable upon a rod63 parallel with said scale. It is normally forced to and heldat thezero end of the scale as by the coil spring 64 surrounding said rod andbearing intermediate said collar and the inner face of the oppositebracket 48. Depending from this collar is a finger 85 having at its freeend a nib 68 adapted to, be engaged in a spiral groove 61 formed in thesurface ofthe upper feed roll it. As this feed roll is rotated duringfeeding of the tape, said finger, collar and attached pointer are causedby said spiral to traverse lengthwise the rod 63 and scale II at a rateand to an extent exactly proportionate to the surface speed of the rolland accordingly also to the length of tape fed.

Normally, in its raised position, the roll is out of engagement with thenib 66 of the pointer finger. As the control lever is depressed to startthe feeding mechanism, engagement of said nib with a spiral groove 61 ofthe roller is effected, as clearly seen in Fig. 3. Preferably thisspiral grooving is double and of relatively large pitch, insuring that aportion thereof will always lie opposite said nib in position to engagethe same, whereby the pointer or indicator is always caused to start itstraverse substantially simultaneously with the feeding of the tape,avoiding any inaccuracy which might arise with the use of a singlespiral, even of less pitch.

This spiral grooving is carried out to the extreme end of the rolladjacent the high-reading end of the scale, or has its fioor at the endof the groove inclined up to the surface of the roll, so that if it isdesired to feed and measure a length of tape greater than one completescale reading, the nib 66 rides out at the end of the groove, permittingthe finger and pointer to be snapped back to the zero end of the scaleby the spring 64, where it will immediately begin a second reading orindication. Thus any desired length of tape may be fed and measuredmerely by continuing the operation of the feeding means, the indicatorrepeating its full reading any successive plurality of times or one ormore reading of the scale,'orles.

when the pointer indicates that the desired length has been fed, forexample, in the dotted line position of the pointer shown in Fig. 7,release of the control lever will instantly stop the feed, and alsoefiect severance of the length desired, in a manner to be described.Bald release of the control lever, as previously noted, causes thespirally grooved roll to be disengaged from the pointer nib 8|,permitting the pointer to return, under influence of its spring 04, toposition again :fstart indicating when the next portion of tape As abovestated, the tape is automatically severed when the desired length hasbeen supplied. Severance is effected by the cooperating fixed andmovable blades or knives and 25 already mentioned. The movable blade 25is pivotally supported at II for movement across the service path of thetape. It is normally depressed below said path by its own weight,assisted by a coil spring ll surrounding the blade pivot and having itsopposite ends engaged with the respective blades in a manner tending toswing the movable blade away from and herein below the fixed blade.Upward movement of said blade may be limited by any suitable stop means,such as the abutment 25', Fig. 3.

For operating the severing means I provide a blade-actuating element,hammer, or trip-arm 12 pivoted at I3 upon the side frame 2 and having ahead ll adapted to be brought up into engagement with the blade 25,moving the same to sever the tape against the fixed blade 24.Surrounding the pivot 13 of said trip-arm is a heavy coil spring 15having one end engaged with the side frame 2, as at 16, Fig. l, and itsother end extended beneath a stop H, see Fig. 2. on the side frame. Thelast mentioned end of this spring also has a laterally offset portion 18upon which the lower edge of the trip-arm rests, in its normal positionshown in Figs. 1 and 2. By means of the stop ll the pressure of thespring tending to raise the trip-arm is relieved from the latter at atime prior to the completion of its blade-actuating throw,

said arm and the movable blade 25 completing their actuating movementunder their momentum and then returning to the extent necessary 'tobring the blade to its normal position clear of and herein below theservice path of the tape, thus.

removing any possibility of jamming of the tape during the first part ofthe next feeding operation.

Prior to severance of the tape, the trip-arm receives a preparatory orcocking movement, herein downwardly, against the pressure of its springI5. Suitable means is provided for efi'ecting this. cocking action. Forthis purpose the outer end of the lower feed roll shaft 2| has fixed toit a plate 19 carrying one or more lugs 80, ll adapted to engage ashoulder ti on a pivoted finger 82 mounted in the head 14 of thetrip-arm.

Normally the shoulder 8| is held out of the path of said lugs, as by thespring in trip-arm head, as shown in Fig. l and again in Fig. 4.

The block 55 connected to the control lever 40 carries a pivoted,spring-pressed dog 84 which. during the first part of the downwardmovement of said control lever, engages the upper face of a nose 85 onsaid trip-arm finger 82, see particularly Fig. 6, thereby moving thelatter rearwardly yieldforwardly.totheleftinl'igs.landd,suili-- ciontlyto avoid interference with mid movement ofthetrip-arm anditsfinger.asindicatedbythe dottedlinepositionofsaiddoginl'ig.6. As.

shown,saiddoguis'pivotallysupporteduponthe inwardlybentendoftherodli.

Justprlortothetime at'which the activelugJlwouldrideofi'fromtheshoulderll inthecontinned turning of the plate II,the trip-arm is caught and held down by a latch 80, formed as abell-crank pivoted at 81 upon the aide frame I. This latch hasprojection II on one arm I of the bell crank adapted to hook over thetrip-arm, in the manner seen in Fig. 4. retaining the same in cockedposition so long as the control lever is depressed and the machine inoperation to feed tape. The other arm ll of the bell-crank is formed atits free end with a collar Ii through which the rod I! extends loosely.Said rod is preferably formed in two parts threaded onto each other attheir adjacent ends, as indicated at .2, Figs. 1 and 4. permitting theover-all length of the rod to be adjusted to time the actuation of thecircult closer I! previously described. The collar ll of the latch 86lies between the-upper end of 'thelowerportionll oftherodflandawasherll, against which bears one end of a coil spring 00, surrounding theupper portion of'the rod 58. The other end ofthis spring rests against astop 0. on said rod.

Normally, and as shown in Pig. 1, the sprim fl is not under tension, andthe projection is of thelatchisoutofthepath ofthetrip-arm. As thecontrol lever is depressed, however, together withtherod 5l,thestoponthelatterhasa movemmt relative to the collar 9| of the latch, firstcompressing the spring I! and then causing the latch to be swung overinto engaging position, as in 15g. 5. When the control lever issubsequently released, the desired length of tape having been led. it isimmediately raised by its spring 4 9. earryhwtherodll upwithitandthrowing the htch M to release or trip the hammer or triparm If.The latter, under the influence of its spring ll, files up against themovable blade 2, it to sever the tape.

Owing to the provision of the pressure-relieving stop 11 for the springIi, the trip-arm immediately drops back sufficiently in the direction ofits cocking movement, until it seats on the portion II of said spring,to allow the movable blade again to clear the path-of the tape and toreturn.

to its norm-l or rest position below said path. A tape-m assumed formovement relative to its spring at are all it its blade-actuating throw,by means of a spring-pressure-relievlng stop permitting thebladetomoveclearoftheservicepathqfthe tape attathe severing operation,is disclosed and eiahnied broadly in the patent to Trevor R. Gautia'above mentioned.

In!'lgs.8to lllhave'shownamodifiedform of means for measuring orcontrolling the exact length of strip material fed and which may beemployed in conjunction with or as a substitute for the indicator meansabove described. Referringtosaidfigureapartsnot specifically referredblade actuating member similarly a ggsg 525 2g z ige gigs-5% ingly theslidable sleeve I1 is formed with-a circumferential groove receiving aroll ill on a yokelike piece ill pivoted at one end upon a lug ill onthe adjacent side frame i. The yoke-piece is normally drawn toward theframe, as by the spring Ill, holding the clutch disengaged. At its freeend said yoke-piece carries a roll I" adapted to be engaged by a com I",see alsollg. 10, on a vertical slide-bar ill mounted in suitable guidesill on the side frame. The upper end of this slide-bar is operativelyconnected through a pivoted link III to a lateral projection iii on thecontrol lever 40. When the latter is depressed to start the machine theslide-bar will therefore be moved down, bringing said cam ill intoengagement with the roll I" and causing the yoke-piece I to engage thesbiftable clutch element '8 with its cooperating element 80, thusdrivingly connecting the shaft 2| to the pinion Ill.

Meshing with said pinion is a relatively large, circumferentiallytoothed disc or gear Ill loose upon a stud ill carried'by the sideframe,the

isoirieleinent llofaclutclatbe element 90 of which is carried by gearbeing held in position on said stud by a suitable collar. A spiralspring Iii secured at one end to the gear and at its opposite or innerend to said stud i It tends to turn the gear in a clockwise direction,viewing Fig. 8, and is mounted under sufficient tension to hold the stopiii upon the inner face of said gear in engagement with'a cooperatingstop ll'l projecting from the side frame of the machine. As shown, thesestops II and I II are respectively formed as mating halves of a splitpin.

The disc or gear H8 is provided with adjustable means adapted to engagewith suitable mechanism, to be described, automatically to delimit theoperating period of the feeding means and to effect stoppage of thefeeding action of'the machine at any desired and predeterminable time.

As illustrated, a circumferential series-of holes H. is formed in thisgear, each adapted to receive a pin H9. Upon starting of the machinethis gear ill, then in its normal or zero position with the stop Iiiabutting the cooperating stop I, is turned in a counterclockwisedirection by the driven pinion Ill. The gear is thus turned until thepin comes into engagement with one end of a finger III projecting intoits path and pivotally mounted upon the side frame. At the opposite endof said finger there is pivotally attached the lower end of a controllever release rod l2l, see also Fig. 9, having near its upper end a camIII in engagement with a like formation In upon a spring-pressed latchIII mounted for sliding movement toward and away from the control mlever in a bracket l2lsecured to the machine frame.

Said latch hasanose I28 adapted to override the control lever lll whenthe latter is depressed into the dotted line position shown in Pig. 9,and to hold the same in said position, the latch being yieldablyprojected inwardly by its spring I" mounted in the bracket I25 andbearing against to permit the desired inward movement of the latch byits spring.

When'the adjustable pin II! of the gear II} has traveled aroundinto-engagement with the finger I22 in its path, engagement of the samewith said fingerwilllift the inner end of the latter,

causing the-release rod I2I'to'be drawn down against its spring I29.This cams the latch I24 outwardly, by engagement f the cam parts I22 andI23, and releases the control lever for return to its normal or raisedposition by its own spring,- as in the figures previously described.This raising or return movement of the control lever likewise lifts theslide bar I09, removing its cam I from'engagement with the roll IIII,whereupon the clutch elements are separated by the action of the springI. The pinion Ill is thus left free to turn reversely, and thelarger-gear III meshing with it is returned in a clockwise direction toits normal or zero position, by action of its spring III.

The pin maybe positioned upon the gear to delimit the feeding action asdesired, thus to eifect service of any required and predeterminedpositive length of tape. Preferably an index I22 or like strip-lengthindicating means is provided in connection with the means for delimitingthe operating period of the feeding means, graduated in units of lengthof strip. With the parts arranged asshown, by way of example, the lengthof feed may be varied by intervals, illustrated as two inches, fromaminimum, for instance, of two inches, up to thirty-six inches, simply byvarying the location of the pin III, the length of feed being determinedby the angular travel of the gear II! from its zero position to thepoint at which the adjustable pin engages the finger I20 and operatesthe release rod. Ob-

automatically held down and automatically released'at the proper time togive the predetermined length of strip. With either form of mechanismillustrated it will be seen that the feeding means is operableby theuser to feed a pred termined length of the unsevered for ward end of thestrip to and past the moistener, thus positively to present apredeterminable unapplied length of strip to the user, wherebypredetermined and variable. positive lengths may be fed at will underthe control ofthe operator. The construction and arrangement of theparts assures positive action, and prevents deflection-of the body ofthe strip from the true service path, as well as obviating any reversepull by the strip rollor supply.

My invention is not limited to the particular forms thereof shown anddescribed herein, its scope being set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In mechanism for-serving strips of adhesive tape or the like, asupport for a tape supply, means for feeding from said supply a lengthof tape, a motor for actuating said feeding means, tape severing. means,spring means for effecting the severing operation of the latter, meanswhereby said motor sets said tape severing means for actuation by saidspring means, an element controllable by the operator for starting andstoppingsaid motor, and means whereby movement of said element to motorstopping position effects actuation of said tape severing means.

, 2. In strip serving mechanism, a support for a strip supply, stripfeeding means, a motor operatively-connected with the latter, a membermovable across the path of the strip to sever the same, spring means toeffect said strip severing movement of said member, means actuated bysaid motor to tension said spring means,and

, means having a common control to start and stop said motor and torelease said tensioned spring means for strip severance. I

3. In strip serving mechanism, a support for a strip supply, stripfeeding means, a motor operatively connected with the'latter, a memberswingable across the path of the strip to sever the same, spring meansto eflect said strip severing movement of said member, other means toinsure the opposite return movement of the lat- 4 ter, and meansactuated by said motor to tensi said spring means.

4. In strip serving mechanism, a support for a strip supply, stripfeeding means, a motor operatively connected with the latter, a membermovable across the path of the strip to sever the same, spring means toeffect said strip severing movement of said member. means actuated bysioned position, a switch for said motor, a springreturned member forthrowing said switch to start the motor, and means whereby release ofsaid spring-returned member releases said tensioned spring means tosever the strip, said strip feeding means including a pair of rollsrelatively movable into and out of strip feedingrelation by the movementof said spring-returned mem- 5. In strip serving mechanism, a supportfor a strip supply, strip feeding means, a motor op- -erativelyconnected with the latter, a member movable across thepath of the stripto sever the same, spring meansto eiIect said strip severing movement-ofsaid member, means actuated by said motor to tension said spring means,holding means to retain said spring means in tensioned,

position, a switch for said motor, a' spring-returned memberfor throwingsaid switch'to start the motor, and means whereby'release of saidspring-returned .member releases said tensioned spring means to severthe strip.

6. In astrip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, stripfeeding means, a motor. to actuate the latter, the. strip severing meansincluding.

a blade movable across the path of the strip, a member engageable withsaid blade to effect said 'movement, spring means to cause said engage-'said motor to tension'said spring means, holding means to retain saidspring means in tenment, means actuated by said motor to cock saidmember against the tension of said spring. a control element normallyspring-retained in "o position and adapted to start saidmotor when movedagainst the pressure of its spring, and connections whereby subsequentrelease of said element releases said cocked member for engagement withsaid blade thereby to sever the strip.

7. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, stripfeeding means, a motor to actuate the latter, strip severing meansincluding a blade movable across the path of the strip, a memberengageable with said blade to efiect said movement, spring means tocause said engagement, and means actuated by said motor to cock saidmember against the tension of said spring for actuation thereby in theopposite direction.

8. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, stripfeeding means, a motor to actuate the latter, strip severing means, anoperating member therefor having a preparatory movement and an oppositeoperating movement, and con-' posite blade-actuating movement,connections whereby said motor effects the preparatory movement of saidmember, spring means to produce said blade-actuating movement, andmechanism to retain said member at the end of its preparatory movementand to release the same when the desired length of strip material hasbeen fed.

10. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair ofrolls between which the strip is adapted to be fed, a motor andconnections for driving one of said rolls, a control lever, spring meansnormally retaining said lever in off position, the other of said rollsbeing rotata bly carried by said lever for movement into or out offeeding relation to said driven roll, and means whereby said controllever in moving said roll into feeding relation effects the starting ofsaid motor, said spring means acting to return said control lever to itsnormal position when released and thereby stopping the motor andremoving said roll from feeding relation.

11. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair ofrolls between which the strip is adapted to be fed, a motor andconnections for driving one of said rolls, a control lever, spring meansnormally retaining said lever in off position, the other of said rollsbeing rotatably carried by said lever for movement into or out offeeding relation to said driven roll, and means whereby said controllever in moving said roll into feeding relation effects the starting ofsaid motor.

12. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supp a pair ofrolls for feeding the strip, a motor for driving one of said rolls, theother roll being movable into and out of feeding relation with saiddriven roll, and common means to start said motor and tomove said rollinto feeding relation feed control lever having a normal inactiveposition from which it is movable by the operator to actuate saidcontrol switch, and means for returnin: said lever to its normalposition when released 15. In a strip serving machine for labelling,

package'sealing and the like, a support for a strip supply, roll meansfor feeding the strip; said roll means having a normally inoperativeposition and an operative position, a motor to drive said feeding means,direct gearing connections between said motor and feedingmeans,'including a worm on the rotor element of said motor meshing witha worm gear coaxial with a roll of said feeding means, and lever meansmanually operable at the will of the operator to determine the operativeor inoperative positioning of said roll means, thereby to control theoperating periods thereof.

16. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair ofrolls for feeding the strip, a motor for driving one of said rolls,means to start the motor, the other roll being movable into and out offeeding relation with saiddriven roll and means connected with saidmotor starting means to move said roll intofeeding position.

17. In astrip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair ofrolls forfeeding the strip,

amotorfor drivingoneofsaid rolls,meansto start the motor, the other rollbeing movable into and out of feeding relation with said driven roll,and means to bring said rolls into proper feeding relation only afterthe motor has been started.

18. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair ofrolls for feeding the strip, a motor for driving one of said rolls,means for starting and stopping the motor, the other roll being movableinto and out of feeding relation with said driven roll, and meansconnected with said motor starting means to move said roll into feedingposition and to return said rolluponstoppingofthemotorattheendofthefeedingoperation. I

19. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair ofrolls for feeding the strip,

a motor for driving one of said rolls, the othersupp y. severing meansincluding a blade mov-- able across the service path of the strip andhaving a normal position clear of the same, a springpressed membermovable in one direction to operate said blade, power-operated means tomove said member in the opposite direction to tension the same, means torelease said member upon completion of the feeding operation, and meanspermitting said member to return suiiiciently in said opposite directiont to its bladeoperating movement to enable the blade toassumeitsnormalpositionclearofthepathofthe tape.

21. Inastripservingmachine,asupportfora strip pply. means to feed thestrip from said supply, severing means including a blade movable acrossthe service path of the strip, a spring tape or the like, a support a atape supply, a

actuated member adapted to contact and move said blade to cause it tosever the strip, Doweroperated means to cock said member, and means torelease said member for severing actuation by its spring when thedesired length of strip material has been fed.

22. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, means tofeed the strip from said supply, severing means including a blademovable across the service path of the strip, a motor operativelyconnected to said feeding means, means adapted for manual operation tocontrol the starting and stopping of said motor, a springactuated memberfor moving said blade, and mechanism operated by said motor to cook saidmember, said means adapted for manual operation effecting the release ofsaid member for actuation by its spring thereby to sever the strip.

23. In a strip serving mechanism, a support for a strip supply, rollmeans to feed the strip, a motor for driving the same, a control leverhaving a normal raised position and depressible to start the motor, astrip severing blade, means to operate the same to sever the strip, andmeans whereby the return of said lever to its normal position eil'ectsactuation of said operating means.

24. In a strip serving mechanism, a support for a strip supply, rollmeans to feed the strip, a

motor for driving the same, a control leverhaving a'normal raisedposition and depressible to start the motor, a strip severing blade, aspringpressed arm for operating said blade, mechanism actuated by saidmotor for moving said arm against the pressure of its spring, latchmeans engageable with said arm to hold it when so moved, and meanswhereby the return of said control lever to raised position releasessaid latch means to permit operation of said blade by said arm.

25. In a. strip serving mechanism, a support for a strip supply, rollmeans to feed the strip, a

' motor for driving the same, a control lever having a normal raisedposition and depressible' to start the motor, a strip severing blade, aspringpressed arm for operating said blade, means actuated .by saidmotor and adapted to engage said'arm to cock the same, said controllever having a portion to effect said engagement when depressed to startthe motor, and-a latch automatically engageable with said arm to hold itcooked and releasable by the return of said control lever to its raisedposition. i I v 26. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive tape orthe like, a support for a tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feedingsuccessive lengths of tape from said supply, means to rotate said rolls,and means movable in synchronism with one of said rolls to measure andindicate the length fed, saidlast-named means constructed and arrangedautomatically to start its indication Y at the same indicating point forsuccessive tape lengths.

2'7. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive tape or the like, asupport for a tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tapefrom said supply, means to rotate said rolls, and tape measuring meansactuated by one of said rolls to indicate the length fed, said meansincluding a scale, a pointer movable along the same, connections betweensaid pointer and one of said rolls whereby the pointer is movedproportionately to the surface travel of said roll, and meansautomatically to return said pointer to its starting position after thefeeding of each tape strip.

28. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive plurality of rolls forfeeding the tape from said supply, means to rotate said rolls, an indexold ment movable lengthwise said rolls and having a normal or startingposition and connections between said roll rotating means and said indexelement to move the same in proportion to the length of tape fed and toeffect its return to said normal or starting position at the end oi eachfeeding operation.

29. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive tape or the like, asupport for a tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tapefrom said supply, means to rotate said rolls, an index element, asupport whereon said element is movable, a spiral formation on oneof'said rolls, and

connections between said formation and element whereby rotation of theroll produces ,a proportionate travel of said index element.

- 30. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive tape or the like, asupport for a tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tapefrom said supply, means to rotate said rolls, a movable index element,connections between one of said rolls and said index element to move thesame in proportion to the length of tape fed, and

means to return said element to its initial position upon completion ofthe feeding operation.

- 31. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive tape or the like, asupport for a. tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tapefrom said supply, means to rotate said rolls, an index element, asupport whereon said element is movable, a spiral formation on one ofsaid rolls, and connections between said formation and element wherebyrotation of the roll produces a proportionate travel of said indexelement, said element and operating connections being constructed andarranged to permit successive repeat movements of said element when thelength of tape fed exceeds the maximum indicated by,

one full movement thereof.

32. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, feedrolls, means to drive the same, a lever to control said driving means, amovable index element to measure and indicate the length of strip fed,and means whereby movement of said control lever effects operativeengagement between said index element and a strip fed, one of saidrollshaving a spiral formation, and means connected to said indexelement and adapted to engage said spiral formation to cause thetraversing movement of said element, said control lever being arrangedto effect said engagement when moved to'bring said rolls into feedingrelation.

34. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair offeed rolls, a motor to drive one of said rolls, the other roll beingmovable into and out of feeding relation with the driven roll, a controllever to shift said movable roll, an index element traversiblelengthwise said rolls to measure and indicate the length of strip fed,one of said rolls having a spiral formation, means connected to saidindex element and adapted to engage said spiral formation to, cause thetraversing movement of said element,

said control lever being arranged to eifect said engagement when movedto bring said rolls into feeding relation, a switch for said motor andoperative connections between said switch and control lever.

35. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, aplurality of feed rolls between which the strip is adapted to be fed, amotor to drive one of said rolls, a spiral formation on another of saidrolls, means normally holding said last mentioned roll out of feedingrelation, a movable index element having a member adapted to be engagedwith said spiral formation toefl'ect indicating movement of said elementin proportion to the length of strip fed, and means to bring saidspirally formed roll into feeding relation and substantiallysimultaneously to effect engagement of said member and the spiralformation of said roll.

36. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive tape or the like, asupport for a tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding successivelengths of tape from said supply, means to rotate said rolls, indicatingmeans, and means to move said indicating means proportionately tothelength of tape fed, beginning always at the same indicating point andto return said indicating means after each indicating movement.

37. In mechanism for serving strips of adhsive tape or the like, asupport for a tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tapefrom said supply, means to rotate said rolls, a movable index elementhaving'a normal or starting position, means for moving the same inproportion to the length of tape fed, and means whereby said indexelement is returned starting position.

38. In mechanism for serving strips of adhesive tape or the like, asupport for a tape supply, a plurality of rolls for feeding the tapefrom said supply, means to rotate said rolls, a movable index element,actuating means therefor operatively connected to said roll-rotatingmeans to move said index element proportionately to the length of tapefed, and index element returning means.

89. In a strip serving machine, in combination with a support for astrip supply; strip feed rolls and means to.drive one of them; a controllever for said feed rolls; a strip feed indicator; and operatingconnections between said indicator and said mil driving means,inciuding'an instrumentaiity carried by said control lever.

. 40. In a strip serving machine for labelling, package sealing and thelike, a frame, a support for a strip supply, cooperating rolls betweenwhich the strip is to be fed from the supply,

to its normal or means for driving one of the rolls, a hand leverpivoted on the frame and having one end portion disposed in position forready access to the operator, one of the rolls being rotatably mounteddirectly on the lever for movement thereby into or out of feedingrelation to the other roll, and spring means tending to retain the leverin position wherein its roll is in non-feeding relation.

41-.In combination, in mechanism for serving ve strips of adhesive tape,a. feed roll for feeding tape from a supply, means to rotate said roll,a movable indicator to indicate successively theindividual length ofeach strip as fed, a rotary member operatively associated with said rollrotating means and having a spiral formation for actuation of saidindicator, and other means to return theindicator.

.42. In a strip servingmachine, a support for I a strip supply, aplurality of rolls for feeding the strip, a motor to drive one of saidrolls, a motor control switch, means 'operatively interposed between themotor and said rolls to start their feeding operation and selectivelymanually or automatically to stop the same, and mechanism open ativelyconnecting an instrumentality of said interposed means with the motorcontrol switch to stop the motor when-said interposed means ,is actuatedto stop the feeding either manually or automatically.

43. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair ofseparable feed rolls, poweroperated mechanism for actuating said feedrolls, a manual control lever for starting and stopping said actuatingmechanism and to bring said feed rolls into feeding relation or toseparate them, and automatic means to stop said actuating mechanism.when the desired lengthof strip material has been fed.

44. In a strip serving machine, a support for a strip supply, a pair ofseparable feed rolls, poweroperated' mechanism for actuating said feedrolls, 'a manual control lever for starting and stopping said actuatingmechanism and to bring said feed rolls into feeding relation or toseparate them,

-- and automatic means to stop said actuating tor movable along saidscale, means to move said strip feeding means and said indicator insynchrony so that the indicator measures the length of tape fed out andmeans to set said last mentioned means into operation.

46. In a strip serving device, strip feeding means, strip moisteningmeans, strip severing me'ans, and a visual measuring device for"measuring the length of strip fed out, consisting of a stationarymeasuring scale, a feed length indicator movable along said scale, meansto move said strip feeding means and said indicator in synchrony so thatthe indicator measures the length of tape fed out. means to set saidlast mentioned means into operation and means to return the indicator tonormal position when the strip feeding means is released from the strip.

47. In a strip serving device, a releasable strip feeding means, stripmoistening means, strip severing means, and a visual measuring devicefor measuring the length of strip fed out consisting of a stationarymeasuring scale having a feed length indicator movable along said scale,means to move said strip feeding means and said indicator in synchronyto measure the length of strip fed out, means to set said last mentionedmeans into operation, and means to return the indicator to normalposition when the strip feeding means is released from the strip, saidlast mentioned means comprising a coil spring secured to the indicator.

48. In a strip serving machine of the type described, a supply of gummedtape, strip moistening means. strip severing means, strip feeding meansincluding mans to grasp the strip and feed it from the machine, a visualmeasuring device for measuring the length of strip fed out consisting ofa stationary measuring scale in the form of a dial, a pointer movable onthe dial in synchronywith thefeeding ofthetapeandnuans to return thepointer to normal position when the feeding of the tape is stopped.

49. Inastripservingmachineofthetypedescribed, a supply of gummed strip,moistening means, a strip severing means, strip feeding means includingmeans to grasp the strip and feed it from the machine, a visualmeasuring device for-measuring the length of strip fed'out consisting ofa stationary measuring scale in the form oia dial, a pointer movable onthe dial in synchrony with the feeding of the tape and means to returnthe pointer to normal position when the feeding of the tape is stopped.saidmeans comprising a spring secured to the machine and to theindicator.

50. In a gummed strip serving device, strip feeding means. stripmoistening means, strip severing means, a visual'measuring scale, andmeans to enable the operator at each operation of the m chine to feed astrip of variable measured length over the entire measuring scale,including meansto control the operation .of said strip feeding means andan indicator movable along said scale in measured relation to the stripfed out for indieating to the operator the length of the strip fed.

-5l. In a strip serving device. strip feeding means, strip moisteningmeans, strip severing means, a visual measuring scale and visualindicatingmeanstoenabletheoperatortofeeda strip of .variable measuredlength over the entire scale including an indicator and an operatorcontrol forsaldfeedingmeanstocontrolthe startingandstoppingofthetapeieeisaidscalemd indicator having relative movementproportional tothelengthofstripfed,andatleastoneofsaid latter membersbeing operatively associated with said strip feeding means.

52. In a gummed strip serving device, strip feed ing means, stripmoistening means, strip severing means.avisualmeasuringscaleandmeanstoenable the operator at each operation of the machine to feed a strip ofvariable measured length over the entire range of the scale includingreleasable meanstngraspthestriptofeed itfrom ment of said strip feedingmeans and an indicator movable along said scale in measured relation tothe strip fed out for indicating to the operator the length of the stripfed.

53. In a gummed strip serving device, strip feeding means. stripmoistening means,strip severingmeans,avisualmeasuring scale andmeans toenable the operator at each operation of the machine to feed a strip ofvariable measured length over the entire range of the scale includingplural means relatively movable toward and away from each other to graspand release the strip to feed it from the machine, means vto control theieeding'movement of said strip feeding means and an indicator movablealong said scale in measured relation to the strip fed out forindicating totheoperatorthe lengthofstripfed.

RCHABO'I'.

' the machine. means to control the feeding movea

